Sheffield Hallam University receives engineering donation to support women in STEM

Leading engineering firm AESSEAL have donated a £50,000 grant to Sheffield Hallam University, aimed at encouraging more women to work in engineering.

The two year grant from the Rotherham-based company will be used to encourage and support women in engineering, with more than 40 students benefitting from the donation.

Stephen Shaw, group engineering director at AESSEAL, formally made the donation while visiting the University’s Hertha Ayrton STEM Centre, where he met current engineering students and took a look at current research projects including robotics and 3D printing.

Dr Leigh Fleming, deputy head of engineering at Sheffield Hallam, said, “The support of AESSEAL is hugely appreciated as we strive as a department to encourage more women to study and work in engineering. We have had dozens of success stories recently coming from our student body and we want these to continue.”

Chris Rea, managing director of AESSEAL and Sheffield Hallam honorary doctorate recipient, said: “Sheffield Hallam’s engineering facilities and departments are making a valuable contribution to the region and we recognise this important work. We are pleased to be able to make this donation to such an important University, which is creating the next generation of engineers.”

Mechanical engineering student Jodie Howlett, who met Stephen during his visit to the University, said: “Donations like this make a huge contribution to our studies, enabling us to gain greater experience, enjoy invaluable placements and grow our skills to further our careers.”

The Department of Engineering and Mathematics is one of the largest and most popular in the UK, with more than 2,800 students following fully accredited undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes.

Reflecting the vocational nature of the University, Sheffield Hallam students undertake over 25,000 placements with employers every year and its talented graduates are a key resource with the necessary skills to help industry grow.